Brimming with energy and enthusiasm, Karen Sak loves to share her impressions of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s High Blood Pressure Control and Kidney PATH workshops that she attended in-person at her local senior center. Two years ago, she moved into a senior community in Burton, after losing her husband of 40 years.
Karen has type 2 diabetes, which she controls with her diet. She’s very proud of that. The two workshops helped her as well. “I am so excited about having gone through these workshops. I got a free blood pressure monitor and a thick book with all kinds of information,” states Karen. “The classes were very thorough with lots of question-and-answer sessions and how to set up menus.”
Karen now checks her blood pressure every morning and keeps track of her blood sugar. “My BP is staying lower and my blood sugar has improved,” she says proudly.
Since she attended the two workshops, she’s improved her lifestyle overall. Karen was accustomed to being active. Before retiring, she had waited tables in a busy restaurant and worked in Receiving at a Meijer store. With both jobs, says Karen, “You’re on your feet constantly — going, going, going.”
Karen’s health had declined and, when she moved into her current home, she was using a walker. Now, with her improved health, she walks everywhere. She acknowledges that the changes are not easy to make. “You have to slowly tackle one thing then tackle another. It’s a slow process,” she continues. “You get stronger — you find more willpower — it does get better.”
In her senior community, Karen sees many people with type 2 diabetes who have undergone amputations as a complication from the disease. She is realistic about diabetes and her added risk for kidney disease, saying, “I took the Kidney PATH class because I don’t want to ever go on dialysis or lose a toe.”
About making lifestyle changes, Karen says, “It doesn’t matter what your age is. It’s never too late to make changes. Just do it week by week.”
“My doctor is so thrilled that I’m being proactive about my health,” concludes Karen. “There are people here who are 100 years old — I want to be like them!”